Bill Text: NY J03209 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Urging the NYS Congressional delegation to propose to the President to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-06-08 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J03209 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J03209-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 3209 BY: Senator BROOKS URGING the New York State Congressional delegation to respectfully propose to the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, World War II lasted from 1939 until 1945, and the United States entered the war in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor; and WHEREAS, Over 16 million Americans served their country and its allies over the course of the war; and WHEREAS, The generation of men and women who served our country in World War II has been called "the greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and WHEREAS The Medal of Honor, presented by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government; and WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; and WHEREAS, More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation's bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award in 1861; and WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was awarded to 473 Americans during World War II, and only two of those 473 Americans are alive today; and WHEREAS, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and Hershel W. Williams of West Virginia both served their country with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life and therefore deserve the gratitude of the American people; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; and WHEREAS, The President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a state funeral; historically, the Commander in Chief has designated state funerals for former presidents, generals, and other extraordinary Americans; and WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor all 16 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served in our armed forces from 1941 to 1945; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Congress of the United States be and hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to respectfully propose to the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the Congress of the United States from the State of New York.